Lubrication system and method for reducing dip lubrication power loss

Abstract

Energy loss in a dip lubrication system is reduced by reducing the immersion depth of the gear within a pool of oil. This can be accomplished by increasing the pressure within the dip lubrication system which effectively reduces the flow rate of the oil so that the oil remains separated from the oil pool for a longer period of time thereby reducing the oil level and the immersion depth of the gear within the oil pool. Alternately, this can be accomplished by substituting a higher density gas for air which has the same effect. In a third embodiment the immersed gear includes wind vanes that direct air against the oil pool creating a trough which effectively reduces the immersion depth of the gear within the oil pool.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A lubrication system for reducing dip lubrication power loss, comprising;
 a housing defining an internal volume, said housing fluidly sealed and containing a gas at a pressure of at least two bars and a pool of a lubricant therein; and 
 a component rotatably mounted within said housing such that a portion of said component immerses into the pool of the lubricant, said component configured to rotate through the pool for splashing the lubricant within said housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The lubrication system of  claim 1  wherein said gas is air. 
     
     
       3. The lubrication system of  claim 1  wherein said gas has a specific gravity greater than air. 
     
     
       4. The lubrication system of  claim 3  wherein said gas is argon. 
     
     
       5. The lubrication system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an inlet valve fluidly connected to said internal volume for introducing the gas into said housing. 
 
     
     
       6. The lubrication system of  claim 1  wherein said component has at least one vane configured to direct the gas windage toward the pool of the lubricant for reducing immersion of said component within the pool of the lubricant. 
     
     
       7. The lubrication system of  claim 1  wherein said component is a gear. 
     
     
       8. A dip lubrication system for reducing dip lubrication power loss comprising:
 a housing defining an internal volume, said housing fluidly sealed and containing air at a pressure of at least two bars and a pool of lubricant therein; and 
 a component rotatably mounted within said housing, such that a portion of said component immerses into the pool of lubricant, said component configured to rotate through the pool of lubricant for splashing the lubricant within said housing. 
 
     
     
       9. A method of reducing power loss for a dip lubrication system,
 said system having a fluidly-sealed housing defining an internal volume, said internal volume including a lubricant and rotatable component which is partially immersed in said lubricant, said method comprising; 
 introducing a gas into the internal volume and establishing a pressure in said internal volume of at least two bars; and 
 containing the gas within the internal volume as said rotatable component rotates in said lubricant. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 collecting a pool of a lubricant within the internal volume of the housing; 
 immersing a portion of the component within a pool of lubricant to an immersion depth; 
 rotating the component through the pool of the lubricant to splash a portion of the lubricant within the housing; 
 reducing an immersion depth of the component while maintaining a generally fixed volume of lubricant within the internal volume; and 
 returning the portion of splashed lubricant back to the pool of the lubricant. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  wherein reducing the immersion depth further comprises:
 directing a portion of the gas toward the pool of the lubricant with the rotating component to create a trough effect in the pool that reduces the immersion depth of the component. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein the component has at least one vane and directing the portion of the gas further comprises:
 rotating the at least one vane whereby the vane directs the portion of the gas to create the trough effect in the pool. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9  wherein said gas has a specific gravity greater than air. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 introducing the gas into the internal volume of the housing via an inlet valve.